There are many different techniques employed by ice climbing enthusiasts, all of which are designed to enhance both the safety and the efficiency of the climb.

The typical ice climber will carry with him, or her, ropes and harnesses, an effective ice pick, special screws that are inserted into the ice to secure lines and pulleys, and will wear special boots with crampons attached and weatherproof clothing as ice climbing necessarily involves cold weather.

The danger inherent in ice climbing – and in mountaineering and rock climbing – is something that is often commented upon, yet it may be that challenging successfully the forces of nature without getting into any danger is one of the most satisfying feelings for a mere human being; climbing a near vertical frozen waterfall requires incredible dedication and concentration, and achieving something like that is never going to be forgotten.

One interesting aspect of ice climbing is that the practice can be replicated artificially; just as gyms and other places where physical exercise is imperative feature specially built climbing walls, so the idea of artificial ice walls is catching on.

These are, however, difficult to maintain and require a great deal of space, but are very useful for beginners to learn the ropes upon, and safe too.

Ice climbing is a pursuit that appeals to many different types of person, but is one that will be best appreciated by the outdoor type. It follows that many who enjoy ice climbing also enjoy rock climbing and mountaineering, for all have the same objective of ascending difficult to climb structures. There are many clubs and associations dedicated to ice climbing across the world, so the best place to start would be by contacting the professionals.

The ups and downs of Ice climbing

In terms of excitement and exhilaration there can be few sports as thrilling as ice climbing, the daring and innovative pursuit of scaling colossuses of frozen water.

Many may consider the participants mad, or even worse, but the pursuit of achieving something difficult, dangerous and downright stupendous is why ice climbing has such a great following.

Ice climbing came about as mountaineers often found their route to the summit involved traversing an ice flow high up the mountain; the need to ascend this tricky feature became part and parcel of climbing a mountain, and the attraction of climbing ice structures closer to the ground became appealing.

Using ropes and harnesses for added safety, ice climbing is something that represents the very best in sporting achievement, as man against nature must be the most compelling battle of all.

The climbing of mountain ice is known as alpine ice climbing, but perhaps the more interesting aspect is the standalone version known as water ice climbing: it is so called because it involves ascending frozen water in the form of waterfalls and similar features, and is considered the most difficult and skilled type of ice climbing.

Indeed, water ice climbing requires such skill that there is much for the novice to go through before tackling the first obstacle and it is, as a result, a highly addictive pursuit indeed.